Kellen Moore may be coaching his last game with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as he has an interview scheduled with the New Orleans Saints for their head-coaching position following Super Bowl LIX.
The possibility of Moore making the transition to New Orleans has been widely discussed throughout the week. Once the celebration subsides for the team that emerges victorious—whether it’s the Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs—Moore could be finalizing his move to a city he has only just spent a week in.
Some members of the Eagles roster are steering clear of the topic, trying not to dwell on the potential change. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata took a lighthearted approach on Tuesday, playfully criticizing Moore in a joking attempt to dissuade the Saints from pursuing him.
“I was just about to say, ‘Kellen Moore is a terrible coach,'” Mailata quipped with a grin. “You guys shouldn’t take him anyway. Honestly, he’s a terrible coach.
“But seriously, he’s incredibly prepared. His leadership, strategic planning, and ability to communicate with players all stand out. He builds relationships with his players, gives them a platform to express their thoughts, and incorporates their input into his approach.
When an offensive coordinator fosters that kind of trust, players go the extra mile for him. I think he’s definitely capable of being a head coach. But you guys don’t want him, I swear. Just leave him here.”
Tight end Dallas Goedert provided a more measured take the previous night.
“He’s done an excellent job directing the offense, implementing the playbook, and instilling confidence in us,” Goedert said during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night on Monday. “He’s been fantastic for this team. I can’t pinpoint everything he does differently, but our offensive success speaks for itself.
“He’d be a solid head coach, but I like having him as my OC.”
Moore’s Impact on the Eagles’ Offense
After spending a turbulent year with the Chargers under former head coach Brandon Staley, Moore made his way to Philadelphia in 2024 to breathe new life into an offense in need of a spark.
The transformation hasn’t been groundbreaking, but the addition of Saquon Barkley has helped the Eagles finish with the eighth-ranked offense in the league and secure an NFC Championship.
While the team reached this stage last season as well, the circumstances surrounding their journey have been vastly different. The Eagles looked unstoppable early in 2023 before collapsing in the final stretch, dropping six of their last seven games.
That late-season downfall led to speculation about head coach Nick Sirianni’s job security and finally prompted him to revamp his staff.
Sirianni made impactful hires, convincing Moore to join the team and bringing in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, whose coaching journey began in Philadelphia four decades ago.
Under Fangio’s leadership, the Eagles’ defense has been performing at an elite level, while Moore’s offense answered early postseason doubts by exploding for 55 points in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders.
“I think he’s brought fresh ideas and a different perspective,” quarterback Jalen Hurts remarked on Tuesday. “My mindset has always been to learn as much as possible.
Every season of my career, I’ve had a new coordinator or a new voice leading the way, so I’ve always focused on absorbing everything I can, applying those lessons to my game, and figuring out how to win.”
Preparing for the Super Bowl While Speculation Grows
Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run has been fueled by Barkley’s contributions, but his presence alone isn’t what shaped their offensive identity. Moore has designed an effective passing game, ensuring defenses can’t fixate solely on Barkley.
“Both guys have been crucial for us,” Sirianni said on Tuesday, referring to Moore and Fangio. “Success isn’t possible without great people around you—coaches and players working together.
They’ve both done an outstanding job. Even back in training camp, I saw the level of detail they bring to their coaching. Spending time with them during the hiring process and OTAs, I felt we landed two home-run hires.”
Executing a balanced offensive attack will be vital against Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Sunday. Any outside distractions, including speculation about Moore’s future, will have to be put on hold for now.
“Our attention is entirely on this game,” Sirianni emphasized. “Kellen is locked in, and so am I. Any focus that moves elsewhere takes away from our main objective.
“I know there could be opportunities for Kellen down the road, and whatever happens will happen. But I hope I’ve done my part in helping him grow, just as other coaches have helped me. When he does get a head-coaching opportunity, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be ready.
He’s incredibly detailed, passionate about the game, and works tirelessly. His offensive mind puts players in positions to succeed, and he’s a fantastic person to work alongside. I have tremendous respect for him, and we’ll see what comes to play after the season.”
